Archives for October 28, 2015

Adventures Of The Wiener Dog Extraordinaire Crusoe The Celebrity Dachshund

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I have to admit that about a month ago, I was quite unaware of Crusoe The Celebrity Dachshund.  I had seen a cute dog youtube video on Facebook with a dachshund dressed up as a Minion and I laughed out loud. But, then my son started to tell me about this really cool dachshund named Crusoe that has these really cool youtube videos. Well..Crusoe is the same as the cute dog I see regularly in my Facebook feed.  Now…get this?! He even has a book!

His first book is titled Adventures Of The Wiener Dog Extraordinaire Crusoe The Celebrity Dachshund By Ryan Beauchesne. My son excitiedly told me that Crusoe is even going on a book tour and his second stop is Los Angeles.

So, like any blogger Mom…I just had to request the book and see what the hype is all about! I received the book, which my son quickly took ownership of…but I have to say..I am impressed. First of all it is divided into Seasons starting with my favorite: Summer. This book has lots of great photos, is entertaining and even has some recipes! You sure do learn a lot about this cute dachshund! It’s a real must-read! It’s quite affordable too! I saw that it is available on Amazon.com for  under $10.00. Now, that is a deal!

Find out more about Crusoe and his book by going here.

My son and I are quite excited about his upcoming Book Tour, which started today!

10/28 – Barnes & Noble Tribeca (NYC)

10/29 – The Last Bookstore (Los Angeles, CA)

11/5 – Books Inc. at the Marina (San Francisco, CA)

11/8 – Half Price Books (Dallas, TX)

11/10 – Barnes & Noble (Atlanta, GA)

I guess you know where we will be tomorrow night!

Self Disclosure: I received a free book for review purposes. Photo and Video Credit: Crusoe The Celebrity Dachshund.

Howlin’ Good Pumpkin Dessert Jacs Dog Cookies will be a hit with your Dog this Halloween!

Fall is here and it’s time to celebrate with your best friends! Make these fun and soft dog cookies using Bil-Jac Dessert Jacs. The recipe is simple and easy!  Reward your dogs’ best Halloween tricks with these yummy cookie treats!  But don’t be tricked yourself, Bil-Jac Pumpkin Pie Flavored Dessert Jacs are only available for a limited time at PetSmart!

Howlin Good Pumpkin Dessert Jacs Dog Cookies

I just received samples of the Bil-Jac Pumpkin Pie Flavored Dessert Jacs and my pup Bink loves them! I can’t wait to bake the cookies in the recipe on Halloween!

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Bink quickly gets the yummy Bil-Jac Pumpkin Pie Flavored Dessert Jacs out of his treat dispensing ball. 

Find them at a PetSmart near you!

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this holiday featured post. Recipe: courtesy of Bil-Jac.

Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Library offer Pass to the Pacific

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Library card holders with the Long Beach Public Library are eligible to receive the Pass to the Pacific coupon. The coupon offers $10 off adult and senior admission and $5 off child admission to the Aquarium of the Pacific. ScholarShare and the Aquarium are committed to inspiring a lifetime of learning by enabling kids and teens to read with a reward. Guests will get to enjoy over 11,000 animals and touch sharks and rays, all at a discounted rate.

 

The ScholarShare College Savings Plan provides families with a tax-advantaged way to save for their children’s education. Over the course of the next year, ScholarShare will provide opportunities for Aquarium visitors to learn more about how they can begin planning for their child’s future with the ScholarShare 529 College Savings Plan – with information available at selected Aquarium events and information online. ScholarShare and the Aquarium are committed to inspiring a lifetime of learning. For more information, visit www.ScholarShare.com.

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The nonprofit Aquarium of the Pacific is a community gathering place where diverse cultures and the arts are celebrated and where important challenges facing our planet are explored by scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders in search of sustainable solutions. The Aquarium is dedicated to conserving and building nature and nature’s services by building the interactions between and among peoples. Home to more than 11,000 animals, Aquarium exhibits include the June Keyes Penguin Habitat, Ocean Science Center, Molina Animal Care Center, the interactive Shark Lagoon and Lorikeet Forest exhibits, and the new Jellies exhibits. Beyond its animal exhibits, the Aquarium offers educational programs for people of all ages, from hands-on activities to lectures by leading scientists. The Aquarium has won a 2015 Travelers’ Choice Award for Aquariums, as awarded by TripAdvisor® travelers. The Aquarium offers memberships with unlimited FREE admission for 12 months, VIP Entrance, and other special benefits. For more information, visit www.aquariumofpacific.org or call 562-590-3100.

Credit: Aquarium of the Pacific.

Celebrity Stylist Janet Zeitoun Debuts New! Hair Care Brand SOTAH

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Janet Zeitoun, world renowned celebrity hair stylist with clients from the late Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson to Denzel Washington and Natalie Cole, globally debuts her first hair care line. As a leader in the industry for over two decades, Janet Zeitoun’s NEW! SOTAH (State of the Art Hair) hair care line boasts luxurious salon-quality products that offer perfectly moisturized locks and healthy, natural shine. NEW! SOTAH hair care line consists of three key products that deliver not only the ultimate level of moisture to strands, but repair damaged hair and protect against further harm. From heat styling, harsh chemical treatments (like Keratin) to bleaching and coloring, hair can be put through the proverbial ringer. The exclusive formulas found in SOTAH products quench hair and bring vitality, vibrance and pure shine back to each and every strand. Enriched with vitamins and minerals, the line is sulfate-free and infused with restorative ingredients making it safe for all hair types and textures. With five years of extensive scientific development and over 100 complex trials to achieve the perfect formula, SOTAH’s unique delivery system includes everything you need to help combat hair deficiencies. The secret behind the success of SOTAH is the diverse combination of amino acid derived ingredients. This discipline creates the necessary building blocks to gift the hair follicles and shafts ultimate moisture and conditioning benefits without leaving hair weighed down and limp. The exclusive formula recognizes where hair needs hydration and bonds to the strands to seal in moisture and create natural shine; repairing even the most unruly textures, in just one use. The proof is in the results. “Through all of my years in the hair industry, I knew there was something missing in the products I was using on my clients,” states SOTAH creator and celebrity hairstylist Janet Zeitoun. “I made it my mission to find the solution and provide people with multiple hair types, including those chemically treated, the answer to beautiful, manageable hair. With a simple approach to the everyday needs of busy people – a wash and go philosophy that offers a gorgeous end result is what prompted my years of research bringing SOTAH products to market.” Performance tested and approved for all hair types and multiple hair textures, SOTAH products have proven to work above and beyond the promised benefits. Proven time and again, SOTAH products assist in extending the life of chemical treatments like Keratin by keeping hair balanced in nutrients and moisture, thus saving you time and money on maintenance. From cleansing, softening and detangling to everything in between – all you need is SOTAH in your daily hair care routine.

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“I didn’t just create ‘products’ – what I created are must-have products…” – Janet Zeitoun.

I agree! I received samples of the products in this line-up and they really are a beauty must-have! My favorite is the Conditioning Shampoo! I have color treated hair and it left my hair feeling clean and very soft! I really did notice a different after using these hair products.

More info about the line up:
CONDITIONING SHAMPOO: Regardless of how difficult your hair texture is, NEW! SOTAH Conditioning Shampoo will make it more manageable. This multi-tasking, sulfate-free, amino acid based shampoo, simultaneously cleans and conditions by depositing directly into the hair cuticles. Co-washing is the first step in bringing hydration back into your hair from the roots to the ends, while deeply cleansing at the same time. With the ultimate ‘wash-n-wear’ attitude, the end result is supple, sheen infused and manageable – passing the toughest test of all – the air dry test. With extraordinary levels of moisture retention, NEW! SOTAH Conditioning Shampoo reduces mechanical damage caused by combing and/or brushing and helps to prevent breakage and split ends. Highly concentrated, this product offers an increased number of conventional washings per bottle. Paraben & sulfate free; safe for all hair types, $22.00.

MOISTURE BOOST CONDITIONER: Moisture is one of the key elements to achieving great performing hair when properly conditioned. NEW! SOTAH Moister Boost Conditioner has been formulated to deliver smooth, hydrating results to all textures with nourishing coconut oil, kale oil and aloe vera. In combination with ingredients like Panthenol & other naturally-occurring humectants and emollients, it helps to fortify and revitalize even the most challenged hair. With hydrophilic and hygroscopic chemical structured ingredients, water is attracted and binds to molecules, thus offering lasting moisture. Hair becomes stronger, protected and balanced; light reflects gorgeously, offering a natural gloss and shine married with static-free manageability. When used in conjunction with SOTAH Conditioning Shampoo, your hair receives an upgrade in hydration. Perfect for damaged hair that needs some special attention. Paraben free; safe for all hair types, $22.00.

OIL/CRÈME THERAPY: If your hair is combating the drying affects due to environmental wear, bleaching, coloring and straightening treatments, NEW! SOTAH Oil/Crème Therapy minimizes damage and locks in moisture needed for healthy, beautiful hair. Obliterate frizz and achieve the ultimate smooth and satiny finish you’ve always dreamed of with this product’s mixture of coconut oil and kale extracts. Oil/Crème Therapy the unique combination of both oil and select conditioning ingredients, when applied sparingly to strands, offers a flexible, touchable feel with maximum shine payoff. Paraben free; safe for all hair types, can be used wet or dry, $26.00.

The SOTAH Hair Care Line is available for purchase at http://www.sotahhair.com.

 
ABOUT SOTAH: SOTAH (acronym for STATE OF THE ART HAIR) is an expression of beauty and lifestyle. With a discerning whisk of a few strands, a new era of style can be born. It can mimic the past, cultivate the present, and sculpt the future. Before a strand is brushed, SOTAH philosophy begins from within. SOTAH prides itself in establishing a healthy foundation for achieving individual goals in hair care, trend, and style. SOTAH is the balance of chemistry, design,
challenges of the modern day individual. Hair has been an expression since the beginning of time. SOTAH will always strive to continue that expression. SOTAH is not about wearing a style – it’s about wearing you at your best ABOUT JANET ZEITOUN: For nearly 20 years, Janet Zeitoun has been designing the hair of some of the world’s most famous superstars. Janet Jackson has said, “Her [Zeitoun’s] talent is rare and exceptional.” Zeitoun’s longtime clients also include Denzel Washington and Natalie Cole, and the late Michael Jackson. As one of Hollywood’s top hairstylists, she has traveled the globe alongside A-List celebrities, influencers and executives who trust in the unparalleled skills and integrity of Zeitoun. Her encyclopedic knowledge of products and techniques are the signature of her genius.

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to post. Photo Credit and press info was provided.

 

Five Painless Ways To Dramatically Improve Your Looks From SmileSimplicity

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No pain, no gain?  The old adage isn’t necessarily true when it comes to improving your looks.   Here from SmileSimplicity are five positively painless, needle- and knife-free ways to up your game.   Some are inexpensive, temporary tricks that can be used just when you need them, while others offer lasting results that justify the investment.

 

  1. At-home facelift: The NuFACE Mini Facial Toning Device is a microcurrent facial toner that is FDA-cleared for facial stimulation. This petite, portable device gently stimulates the larger surface areas of the face to improve your appearance and provide a 5-minute facial-lift at home, or wherever your travels take you.

It’s a practical and painless way to get a more youthful and beautiful look without resorting to time-consuming, costly invasive procedures.  It may be light as a feather, but the NuFace Mini is a heavyweight when it comes to results.  It is clinically-tested for improved facial contour, skin tone and reduced wrinkles in as little as 5 minutes a day.  In a recent clinical study: 85% of users experienced significant improvements in facial contour, 80% said their face felt more toned and 73% reported seeing significant improvements in skin tone.  Available at www.beautybrands.com

 

2.  Shapewear:   Flatten your stomach, smooth thighs, lift the derrriere…no nips or tucks needed!   Shapewear has come a long way since it was first introduced, with high tech yet breathable and lightweight compression fabrics.  The key, according to Lori Caden, co-founder of Belly Bandit, is to target problem areas separately.  An all-over bodysuit-type shaping garment is usually not the solution for most women.  www.bellybandit.com

  1. Total Smile Makeover: Porcelain veneers are the be all and end-all of smile improvement solutions, because not only do they whiten teeth permanently, but they also correct chips, cracks and other imperfections.  Don’t like the idea of drilling down natural tooth structure (or the anesthesia involved)?   Consider SmileSimplicity, a new generation of porcelain veneers that does not require any sensitive tooth structure to be drilled away and thus no shots.   www.smilesimplicity.com.

 

  1. Non-surgical eyelid lift: Eye Magic lifts droopy upper eyelids without surgery, using medical grade, hypoallergenic tape strips.   They’re a great and affordable way to look refreshed for a special occasion a photo shoot or after a late night out.  They stay on 12 to 18 hours, and some even use them every day.www.eyemagic.net.

 

  1. Bye bye, fat cells….later, lipo! BTL VANQUISH ME is a promising new treatment that uses radio frequency waves to target fat cells, heating them up to cause cell death without damaging skin or muscle.   The non-invasive procedure is cleared for non-surgical circumferential reduction of the abdominal area.  The device never touches the skin, but is suspended about 1” above for treatments which last about 30 minutes with no downtime required afterward.   4 – 6 sessions are recommended and patients have reported achieving 60% fat loss in targeted areas.   To find a doctor, visit www.btlaesthetics.com.

 

Credit:  SmileSimplicity.

 

Healthy Halloween Treats

Of course, Halloween is all about the candy, but that doesn’t mean that it’s all your kids need to eat on the big day. This year, you can keep them properly fueled, while still serving up the spooks, with the below healthy snacks. Try them after school, after trick or treating, or as Halloween party treats. And since all of these are easy to create, kids can help with the assembly for a fun family activity!

The following recipes are courtesy of Terra’s Kitchen.

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CANDY CORN FRUIT SKEWERS

  • White: pear, jicama, banana
  • Orange: cantaloupe, apricot, mango
  • Yellow: pineapple

Directions: Choose one of each color fruit. Cut progressively larger size triangles and thread onto lollipop sticks to look like oversize candy corn. Served chilled.

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KIWI SPIDERS

  • Kiwis
  • Mini pretzels

Directions: Carefully peel kiwi with a vegetable peeler. Cut off a small lengthwise piece (the belly of the spider) so it sits flat on a plate. Break mini pretzels into curved pieces and insert 3 legs on each side. Carve out little indentations for eyes and serve. (You might also try raisins or chocolate chips, if you can figure out a way to make them stick!).

Credit: Terra’s Kitchen.